RP claims significant progress in fight vs piracy

MANILA, Philippines - Despite being elevated in the US priority watch list this year, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IP Philippines) maintained the country has made significant inroads in the fight against piracy.

“We continue to make significant inroads in our fight against piracy and other forms of violations against IP in all fronts, and all critical areas of the campaign,” IP Philippines director general Adrian S. Cristobal said.

In a report by the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Philippines was elevated to the priority watch list after three years in the ordinary list because the piracy situation in the country “worsened in 2008.”

“In general, the piracy situation in the Philippines worsened in 2008. In addition to physical piracy (CDs, DVDs, CD-ROMs, photocopies and book reprints), the legitimate market for foreign and local Philippine copyright material was decimated by Internet piracy (mainly peer-to-peer), mobile device piracy, camcording piracy, retail piracy, optical disc production, and pay TV theft,” the report stated.

It likewise criticized the Philippine court system, saying it needs much reform. In fact, the report said judicial corruption has become an increasingly serious concern.

However, Cristobal said there were marked improvements in 2008, thanks to the continued partnership of government and the private sector.

“Definitely enforcement is sustainable,” he said. “As expected, there are components of the strategy that are more difficult to execute, but in due time, and with our growing partnership with the IP stakeholders from the private sector, we will be able to overcome these obstacles.”  

One of the priorities in 2009 is further galvanize the judiciary into moving IP cases in the courts. Judicial reforms in support of a stronger IP regime, started in 2008, are expected to be in full swing this year

Last year was also productive in terms of getting the academe onboard the campaign to create a strong IP regime.  Eight universities established their IP policies, mainly to encourage research among its students and faculty. These were: Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP); Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP); Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology; Mariano Marcos State University; Nueva Vizcaya State University; Tarlac State University; Tarlac College of Agriculture; and Bicol State University.

Cristobal also said awareness, knowledge and understanding of IP and related issues also improved, with the creation of the Intellectual Property Research and Training Institute (IPRTI) through Executive Order 737. As of end-2008, IPRTI has already trained some 200 scientists, researchers, lawyers, business executives  and patent examiners, 13 of which were from ASEAN countries.

“The fight against intellectual property (IP) violations is a huge challenge worldwide. Each year, since 2005, we have been making headway in the various areas and components that need to be addressed, in order to sustain and nurture a healthy, efficient, and effective IP regime – one that can harness Filipino creativity and contribute to national growth and progress,” he stressed.